Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium is expanding their venue to include an outdoor performance space. The Mother Church of Country Music is adding a permanent outdoor stage, as part of a multi-year sponsorship agreement with PNC Bank. The new space will officially be called “PNC Plaza at Ryman Auditorium.”

“Music is a great platform to connect people,” Mike Johnson, PNC Regional President for Tennessee told WSMV. “It has the power to transcend boundaries of age, time and background. We hope the PNC Plaza at the Ryman will connect communities, neighborhoods and generations to create a stronger, more vibrant region.”

The original building, which was built in 1892, will remain untouched. The new space, which will be located on the Fourth Avenue North side of the Ryman, is expected to be completed by the end of 2020.

The Ryman has continued to connect with music fans, in spite of the coronavirus pandemic. In addition to reopening for socially-distanced backstage tours, the Ryman also launched a six-week livestream event, Live at the Ryman, adding 125 in-person guests for Scotty McCreery’s show on September 4, and 250 people for Brett Young on September 11.

“Our company has prioritized the health and safety of our employees, customers and artists since day one of the pandemic,” Colin Reed, chairman and CEO, Ryman Hospitality Properties, said in a statement. “This unique live music experience represents the next step in our commitment to doing things the right way while also creating a repeatable model that will allow artists and fans to connect during this bridge period until a vaccine or treatment for COVID-19 is available.”

The six-week Live at the Ryman event will conclude this Friday, September 18, with Old Crow Medicine Show. Find more information at Ryman.com.